Jose Cordoba is too important to Norwich City’s Championship hopes to take any risks, after he sat out Tuesday’s latest pre-season friendly against Hoffenheim with some muscle tightness.

The Panamanian was in line to start his first game since joining up with his new club following a late Carrow Road cameo against FC Magdeburg on Friday.

But City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup confirmed after a 2-2 draw against the Bundesliga side in Austria the 23-year-old centre back had reported some ‘tightness’ in the upper leg.

“With Cordoba he was a little tight after some of the sessions. We actually planned with him in the starting line up,” said the Dane. “But we could see on the morning that was not the right decision to do. So again, no risk with him. And hopefully he can play on Saturday (against St Pauli).”

Kellen Fisher was also due to feature at left back but has suspected tonsillitis, while Jacob Sorensen was another notable absentee after starting the last two friendlies at centre back.

“Some knee pain after the game against Magdeburg and of course, when you feel some pain there, you can be a little bit nervous once in a while sometimes,” said Thorup. “But it actually it seems okay. And I think he will be back on the training pitch on Thursday.”

Josh Sargent featured for the first time under Thorup after returning from Copa America duty. The influential forward’s goals fired City into the Championship play-offs last season during a heavily injury-disrupted season.

Thorup is confident those enduring ankle-related issues can be managed.

“I think the most important thing to do is to get the body used to playing every weekend. That's how you start to work through it,” he said. “You can see these players that are robust, they play every Saturday, 90 minutes, because the body's used to it. So we have to get him up to that, of course, but it will take some time.

"But he's a great player, and he will deliver the minutes but I'm just happy that he's here and also for the group and for the environment he is such a good character.

“You can see what he offers with his back turned to the goal where he can protect it, he can hold it. He's so, so good with his movement and running on the outside of defenders, and creating space for himself and his team mates. So good to have him back.”

- The Pink Un is providing full coverage of the Canaries' time in Austria, in partnership with Chips Away Norwich